Demo code used, with many thanks to Stride PR.
Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire is an action-farming-rogue-lite with a touch of survival, and fire bolts thrown in for good measure. The game is being developed by Digitality Games and published by Freedom Games. I’ve spent some time playing the demo which will be available for everyone to download during the Steam Next Fest.
A Vegan Vampire
Voltaire is a vampire who lives in Transylvania. Unfortunately, he also happens to be the last-born son of Dracula. With the heavy legacy of being the son of Dracula on his head, Voltaire has an epiphany that results in a change of heart for the young vampire.
Voltaire decides that abandoning blood in favour of a plant-based diet is the way to go. And that decision is made out of spite to prove to his father that neck-biting is not the only way for vampires to thrive.
Of course, being a blood-sucking vampire, Dracula is aghast over Voltaire’s decision to go vegan. Voltaire’s Uncles Frank and Stein help Voltaire escape his father’s gaze, and Voltaire finds a cosy cottage in the local cemetery.
Cute, Creepy Adventure
Once in the world on his own, Voltaire embarks on a cute and creepy adventure all about his plant-based lifestyle, full of veggie recipes and glorious hand-drawn art. You will farm during the day with magical seeds to cultivate crops and provide Voltaire with sweet nourishment in his quest to become the world’s first vegan vampire.
As Voltaire or his female version Morgana (depending on who you choose to play as) gathers seeds to plant, tends to them during daylight, and fulfils quests for his uncles, all is peaceful. However, once night falls, Dracula sends out his monster minions to trash Voltaire’s garden and house.
Defend against Dracula’s Monster Minions
It’s your task to defend against Dracula’s monster minions and live another night to continue growing plants for Voltaire’s new lifestyle. If you fail and die, you can choose to lose 25% of your inventory and any skills Voltaire has earned or keep 90% of your inventory and preserve any skills Voltaire has.
If Dracula’s monsters destroy Voltaire’s house, the day is reset, but you don’t lose any experience. However, if you successfully make it through the night, you can level up Voltaire’s attack or trap spell.
Voltaire attacks the monster minions by waving his cloak, which shoots out fire bolts. He also has a trap spell he can use to defend the crops and house. Combat is quick and fun even when you die and have to start over again.
Alchemy
In addition to the tasks mentioned, you can use the plants at the alchemy table and brew new seeds to plant. Such as the Vinemaw seed, which will defend your crops with medium-ranged projectiles, handy for when Dracula’s monster minions come a calling in the night.
There are different biomes to conquer where you can expand your farm and territory. Overall the demo plays pretty well, and it’s a fun take on the rogue-lite genre mixing farming in with it. The artwork for the game is suitably cute and creepy at the same time.
You can find Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire Steam page here to Wishlist it, and why not try out the free demo? The game is due for release on PC on Early access on the 27th of February, 2023.